Arshi One Shots

Arnav and Khushi were happily married and had an adopted son, Arav. Three years into their blissful married life, Khushi, like every other woman desires, wanted a child of their own. But is Arnav ready for it? Will he be able to conquer his fears again? Will Khushi help him like always? Or someone else is to be born to make him realise?

Peep in to know more!

A one shot on Arshi after IPKKND Ek Jashn episode!

Candles everywhere, rose petals on the path, fairy lights adorning the house, soft music playing in the background, cake in the centre and there stood Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada celebrating their 3rd anniversary which Arnav had forgotten and Khushi successfully got her revenge for it.

After having their dinner, Arnav and Khushi were resting near the poolside with their legs dipped in the pool, Khushi's head resting on his shoulder and with their hands entwined. Khushi has closed her eyes to feel his warmth when Arnav was in thoughts about what Akash said.

Though he dint anticipate a big problem, but his thoughts on what Khushi had to speak about the child dint let him in peace.

He successfully resisted himself from asking about it to Khushi. He could no more! So finally he blurted out.

'Khushi, Akash was saying that you were about to talk to me about a child'

Khushi's cheeks instantly went red out of shyness and this was not unnoticed by Arnav.

Fear gripped. 'Was she? No it cant be! They were careful. But sometimes it fails too. Was she really pregnant?'

Arnav had all sorts of doubts creeping up. Khushi saw his face manifested a certain type of fear or worry, she dint exactly know but she knew it was time she let him know what she wanted.

Cupping his cheeks, she asked ever so lovingly, 'Main aapse ek baat poochun? Aap mana nahin karenge na? Mana karenge bhi, koi baat nahin. Hum aapko samajhthe hain! (Shall I ask you something? You wont deny me right? Even if you dont accept, not a problem. I understand!)

Now this was what Arnav always liked in her. She understood him in and out even without him confessing anything.

He smiled slowly and Khushi enveloped his arm in her hold and his other arm automatically rose to caress her hair.

'Kya baat hai Khushi? (What is the matter Khushi?)'

'Arnavji, humein bhi apna baccha chahiye. (Even I want our kid)'. There! she finally put forth her desire.

Khushi was always skeptical about Arnav's reaction to this. She knew Arnav was not comfortable with kids. But they now had Aarav. And she could see a change in his behaviour towards kids. Not KIDS exactly because Aarav was the only one he was close to. Still she wanted to give it a try. May be his views about kids changed?

Arnav was already prepared for the worst. But this was one step better. He thought she was pregnant, which was more worse at this time when he was not at all prepared.

'Khushi, I really dont know if I am ready for this. Whether I will ever be ready for this. We have Aarav right? Whats the need for another one?'

'Arnavji, I want the symbol of our love. I want to enjoy the phase of pregnancy, take the pain of giving birth and everything after that. Aarav is all grown up. I want to nurture our child from his/her Day 1 on this earth. Aarav will always be my first child and close to my heart. But I also want a child of our own. That does not mean I will neglect Aarav. He is the most special one to me, who taught me what it is being parents'.

'Khushi, relax. I have no doubts on your love towards Aarav. And I am not denying for our child because of him. Its just that I am not ready yet'.

'Whats there to be ready Arnavji? You are already a father and a great one at that! The way you bring up Aarav, no one can say you have problem with kids'

'Khushi, please understand. Aarav, when he came to us, he has already seen half the cruelties of life. He was way more mature. And I could easily adjust with him. But the newborn? I dont even know what to do, how to behave. Moreover if I hurt the child by any chance, then I would be the one regretting more. And most importantly, I dont trust myself to be a better father. Everyday and every moment I spend with Aarav, I keep reminding myself that I should not turn into another Arvind malik'.

Before Khushi could make him understand and bring him out of his fears, their room door opened and there stood Aarav with his sleepy eyes. As soon as he saw his parents, he rushed inside to hug both of them from behind. He wished them. 'Happy anniversary Mom Dad!'

'Aarav, mera baccha, had a good time with your Anjali bua at the NGO?', cooed Khushi taking him into her lap.

'Yeah mom, I made lots of friends there', said Aarav with a glint in his eyes. 'But its not possible to go there everytime na', he became sad. He had none to play in the house.

'Arre! Why do you worry? We will have a small baby in our house too after few months! But tell me you want a brother or sister?'

'I want a brother, I cant tolerate girls Mumma. All girls in my class are already chipkus', whined Aarav.

Arnav let out a hearty chuckle, listening to his son, who though not their own blood, had their traits in him like Khushi's talkative nature and Arnav's serious boy attitude. Arnav and Khushi never treated him like an adopted one. Infact they even forgot he was adopted. They were truly enjoying their parenthood. And the arrival of their child will change nothing in their equation with Aarav.

Khushi could just roll her eyes. Like father like son! Uff! Looks like she has to work a lot to convince him for this.

By that time, Aarav had shifted to Arnav's lap comfortably for his sleep. He was cuddling to Arnav with his head on his chest. Arnav held him protectively and was ruffling his hair. Aarav liked him doing that! Khushi looked at the scene and just wished that they always remain this happy.

Arnav gently placed Aarav on the bed in the middle with Arshi lying on his sides. Khushi tried to talk to him again but he silenced her saying, 'Please Khushi, not today. We shall talk about it when I am ready. Please'

Khushi understood him as always. She knew he needed time and she also knew that if she desired it, Arnav would even fight with his self to fulfill her wish. Once he thinks with his calm mind, he might actually agree. With these optimistic thoughts, she retired for sleep.

4 months passed, but Arshi never spoke about it again. All were busy in their own lives. Payal and Akash had returned 2 months back so that Payal had people around her in her last trimester. Khushi devoted her full time in taking care of Payal. Khushi sometimes ached for a child, but she brushed those thoughts off trusting her Arnavji. Arnav, though never spoke about it to Khushi, was trying to mend his views and fulfill her wish but he just could not.

Another month passed, it was Payal's delivery. After 16 hours in labor, Payal finally delivered a girl child. Everyone were ecstatic to see her. When asked the name, Akash proudly declared as Akira Singh Raizada.

Akira was the apple of the eyes of everyone. While Mami and Nani never had enough being with her, Aarav even bunked his school to be with his baby sister. To Akira, Khushi was her most favourite person. Whenever anyone tried to lift her, apart from her parents, in their arms, she would let out her dislike in the form of wailings. Khushi was an exception. She was happy to be with her maasi. Arnav never attempted to take her in his arms for two reasons. One, he was not so fond of kids and two, he was scared that he would drop her off. But he too loved her equally.

It was one month since Akira was born. One day, Payal had made her sleep in the crib in the living room and had to get her few things from the room. She looked around to find only Arnav sitting in the hallway reading a newspaper. She gently requested him to have a watch over Akira to which he nodded. 'She was sleeping anyways, so it wont be a problem', he thought.

After few minutes, Akira woke up and not finding her mother or maasi near her, wailed crying her lungs out. Arnav dint have a clue what to do. He had observed Khushi taking her in her arms whenever she cried. But how could he? He had no experience in it. He looked around to find anyone who could help. But alas! There was no one.

Not able to see her crying, he gently took her in his arms as if she were a glass doll. He cooed her to stop her cries. To his surprise, Akira relaxed in her Bade papa's arms and soon fell asleep. He then looked into her face so close. She had a serene look. Her nose was cute. Her cheeks were crimson in colour. When he closely observed, he found that she somewhat resembled Akash. She was a beauty. Not resisting anymore, he kissed her forehead lovingly and took her close to his heart. The joy he felt was unsurmountable. That was when his long pending fears and questions were answered. He knew what he had to do.

In the evening, when Arshi were in their room, Arnav pulled her towards him and said, 'Khushi, I want our baby'.

Khushi was shocked would be an understatement. Before she further spoke,

'Shh... I dont know how it will turn out Khushi. I am still not sure whether I can be a better father. Today, for the first time I took Akira in my arms, I knew this is what is still missing in my life. And I want that happiness too. Akira made me realise what am I missing! I want our child Khushi. Our love symbol. To be precise, a girl. Who looks exactly like you. I too want to nurture her from her Day 1'. Arnav had a beautiful smile while saying these.

Khushi was overwhelmed. She just hugged him tight and said, 'you will be the best father Arnavji.'

He was not sure how will he turn out to be, but Khushi being with him, he knew he had nothing to worry about.

Exactly after 11 months, Khushi delivered a baby girl, Aashi Singh Raizada. Arnav was ecstatic. That day when he took his princess in his arms, he knew his decision was right. He no more had fears. He knew he would protect her with his life. Aarav who always wanted a brother, prayed that he got a sister, after his attachment with Akira.

True! Akira was an eye opener for Arnav and Aarav. Their perspective about kids especially girls changed. But not to be forgotten, they still maintained their distances from other girls stating that they were annoying except Akira and Aashi.

Arnav was enjoying his fatherhood to the fullest. He was a father not only to Aarav and Aashi but also to little Akira. She was his favourite, as she was the reason Aashi happened to him. If Aarav exposed him to what is being a father, then Akira showed him what it feels like to hold a newborn in arms and Aashi gave him that experience in truest sense.

Khushi observed Arnav sitting on floor with Aashi and Akira in either of his lap and Aarav in front of them trying to make them smile with his cute antics. Had anyone told her that one day she would be witnessing this, she would have laughed it off.

She saw Akira and silently thanked her Devi maiya for fulfilling her wish by sending an angel in the form of Akira.

Arnav saw Khushi admiring them. He called her to sit by his side and slowly whispered, 'Thank you for this Khushi. I love you'

She blushed and replied, 'I love you too Arnavji. And thank you'.